Colleges in Rochester, Minnesota
4 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 4 colleges and universities in Rochester, Minnesota (2 Public, 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 4 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $14,435 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 57.4%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 55% of applicants.
The median net price in Rochester runs about $2,518 lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $16,953.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Rochester, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$14,435
After aid
Median grad rate
57.4%
6-year
Median admission rate
55%
Median enrollment
439
Undergrad
All colleges in Rochester
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester, MN | MN | Public, 2-year | $14,435 | 28.9% | Not available | 3,365 | Partial | |
| University of Minnesota-Rochester Rochester, MN | MN | Public, 4-year | $13,744 | 57.4% | 71% | 568 | Complete | |
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Rochester, MN | MN | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | 39% | 309 | Partial | |
| Nova Academy of Cosmetology Rochester, MN | MN | Private for-profit, <2-year | $21,473 | 76.5% | Not available | 205 | Partial |
By institution type
Public (2)
Public colleges in Rochester are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Rochester Community and Technical CollegeNet price: $14,435Grad: 28.9%
- University of Minnesota-RochesterNet price: $13,744Grad: 57.4%
Private nonprofit (1)
Private nonprofit colleges in Rochester are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and ScienceNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Private for-profit (1)
Private for-profit colleges in Rochester operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Nova Academy of CosmetologyNet price: $21,473Grad: 76.5%
Top programs in Rochester
Most-completed programs across Rochester colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions44.3% of degrees
- Liberal arts17.5% of degrees
- Business8.1% of degrees
- Personal services4.6% of degrees
- Homeland security & law enforcement4.6% of degrees
- Construction trades3.9% of degrees
- Precision production2.2% of degrees
- Computer science2.0% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Rochester
Q.How many colleges are in Rochester, Minnesota?
There are 4 colleges and universities in Rochester, Minnesota that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Public, 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Rochester?
By undergraduate enrollment, Rochester Community and Technical College is the largest institution in Rochester with roughly 3,365 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Rochester?
Based on average net price after aid, University of Minnesota-Rochester is the most affordable institution in Rochester at $13,744 per year.
Q.Which Rochester college has the highest graduation rate?
Nova Academy of Cosmetology reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Rochester institutions at 76.5%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Rochester?
The median net price across all 4 colleges in Rochester is $14,435 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Rochester?
Across Rochester colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Liberal arts, Business.
Q.Are there community colleges in Rochester?
Yes — Rochester includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Minnesota
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Rochester that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.